India will now export surplus of “all types of pulses” to ensure that farmers receive competitive remuneration for their produce.
The decision comes after the union government on Thursday removed the prohibition on “export of all types of pulses” which was imposed due to country’s import dependence for the protein-rich food item.
However, healthy production and massive buffer stock accumulated during 2016-17 brought down the import dependence for pulses substantially.
“The CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) has approved the removal of prohibition on export of all types of pulses,” Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet.
He said the move will give the farmers greater choice in marketing their produce and lead to improved incomes.
“Export of pulses would provide an alternative market for the surplus production of pulses. Allowing export of pulses will also help the country and its exporters to regain their markets,” the CCEA said in a statement.
“It is expected that pulses production will be sustained in the country and our import dependence on pulses will come down substantially. This is also likely to provide higher levels of protein to the population and work towards nutritional security.”
In 2016-17 production year, the India produced 23 million tonnes of pulses. The government alone procured two million tonnes and ensured minimum support price or market rates, whichever was higher, directly from the farmers.The target for pulses production in 2017-18 has been fixed at 22.90 million tonnes.